So Friday was my last morning in Killala - County Mayo. The town I lived for 1 1/2 years. We wanted to be in the middle of nowhere right on the ocean. And Killala was everything we were hoping for. The time we had there we will never forgot. I stoped one when I was all packed up at the harbor street to take some moody pictures of foggy Killala Bay in the morning.

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you

The small town of Killala has only a population of 750 people (was trying to research but every site said something else) but is home of 5 pubs. And even more surprising is that back in the days Killala had total number 9!

Tower Bar

Spacious pub with a lunch menu and music usually on Saturdays. It draws the young people in on the weekends.

Gilivary’s

I call it the no -name pub. There is no sign and from the outside you would not think it’s a pub. This is the definition of a local pub. If you are out of town you will most likely not end up here. Some people say you will get the best draft of Guinness in town or maybe even in whole County Mayo.

The Village Inn

This was my very first pub in Killala. So this one will always have a special place in my heart. There is always a fire going and can get really packed when an important game is on. The also serve food.

Golden Acres

Just recently renovated interior. Tons of pictures of the good old days to look at. Can get a little touristy. Their roast is delicious.

The Arch Bar

This is probably my favorite pub in Killala. Weekends are packed - all kinds of different people to talk to. Best craic I had was here.

One of the closed down pubs:

Got any pub pictures or reviews? Feel free to talk about them here: Irish Pub Reviews

An other breathtaking winter moment. Was just walking down the street and thought this might be something worth taking a picture of.

The weather right now in County Mayo (and I bet in other parts as well) is plain crazy. First hail and then a snow storm I haven’t so far out here in Ireland.

And below a short break with sunny spills. But right now the snow storm is at it again.

This post is full of media - here a short video of the snow storm:

Ireland is showing itself from it’s best site couple of days ago to change our mind not to move to Spain. And seems like since Mike left Ireland is in rage and punish with this really awful hail storm which goes on now for over 3 days!

What prevents me to move too? The car - we just can’t sell it. Everyone who we talk is saying that is the worst time of the year to sell a car and the offers we have gotten so far are just not plain acceptable. So I am staying until I mange to sell it.

It’s really nice car and we would sell it for a bargain but still not real interest whatsoever!

I kind of feel helpless but maybe you or someone you know is interested and if not maybe you want to help out and put up this sign at you local supermarket or gas station - I would sell Ireland wide and if it comes down to it even to the UK!

Check the car out: Used Skoda Fabia Bargain

It’s a PDF File so it will print out in a nice quality. If you got any suggestions or other idea please feel free to leave a comment. Thank you all!

P.S. If you are a movie buff - feel free to check out our brand new Movie Forum which we just added to Criticker - Movie Recommendation site.

Frohe Weihnachten to you all. Thank you for reading my blog and for all the compliments on my photos. Every little comment gave me a creative ego boost. Hope you all have a great 2008.

I just love that photo - taken in Knock , County Mayo.

Doesn’t that first picture look like it’s from the sixties?

The Moore Street Market is a long-established Dublin tradition, and the stalls sell everything from electrical gear to fresh fruit, vegetable and fish. Mondays and Saturdays are probably your best bet for fresh items. There is no more authentic fruit and vegetable market in the city. The main stalls sell the food items but the Moore Street Market attracts all types who will sell you just about anything. From prams full of cigarettes to stalls stocking monster-sized chocolate bars: you name it, you can probably find it here. Just go listen to the banter for a real flavour of Dublin. Source

Xmas Link: Gift Guide 2007

Since I went to the Knock Shrine for the first time I put it on the must see for our visitors. So I have been back there pretty often. It kind of grows on me.

Here some more pictures of that to me at least bizarre spot in Ireland.

I piece of the original where the miracle happend.

Doesn’t he look like George W. Bush?

Now some religious merchandise:

Above Marias in one of those grave bowls.

Holy Water Holders.

Thoughts Aside: Usually travel agencies assemble exemplary vacation packages, complete with a discount hotel and really cheap airline tickets. This is because all year round, they keep their eye on airline tickets deals as well as other discounts. Most agencies often include cheap rental cars in their deals too.

Books on Knock Shrine: Amazon US / Amazon UK/Ireland

After a long hiking break we decided to do an other hike before it gets really cold here. This time we decided to hike the impressive Benbulben near Sligo.

You climb up via Pinnacle Gully which you can see on the image above. Very Steep and somewhat dangerous.

Tons of these little mushrooms on the way. Anyone knows which this is?

Getting closer to the top … SPOOKY!

First stop and really near to the top. The first climb is the hardest and toughest part. Make sure you have decent footwear. One slip and you are gone. I am not kidding! But it feels so good being up there.

You can see the ocean.

And up the last part through a narrow stone passage way

This was the coolest part of the hike the Pinnacle Gully!

Up on the plateau.

Glencar lake aka Lough an Chairthe is down there.

More plateau .. tons of tiny rivers on the way.

This was nice too. A bucket cable system which got used but coal mines further north.

Pretty steep, he?

What is he doing? NO!

Haven’t seen him, ever since. Crazy Bastard.

This hike is also from this awesome Atlantic Hill Walk Book available at Amazon UK, Amazon US and Amazon Deutschland. It was the Number 8 Hike called : The Glencar Escarpment and took us 4 1/2 hours.

Do you have Ireland Stories you would like to see on the Ireland Blog? Please let me know. Enjoy!

Thoughts Aside: Whether you are looking for cheap flights to amsterdam or london, you should take care of this information before leaving for your trip. This holds true for miami hotel as well as las vegas resorts. Even before checking in into cheap cruises, one should complete his home work about all the accomodation aspects at a discount hotel. Only chicago hotel is trustworthy enough.